Maea
Oh, when the world is burning
It was snowing again. A light yet persistent flurry had been singling down from overcast skies for the past few days, to the chagrin of everyone whose job it was to maintain the streets. Even the most dogged road teams couldn't keep up and the snowbanks were piling high as a man's head in some places. Lying heavy on rooftops, docks and coating the carefully tied up sails of the ships in the harbor, it turned the seaside town into a winter wonderland - and every land-locked sailor into a menace for the locals, who worked hard to provide lodging and fare.
Watching the ice-choked sea through a gap in the buildings, Maea inched closer to the bonfire and munched on a meat pie. Despite the cold she refused to hole herself up in her office. There was too much to do; hiring musicians and chefs for the banquet, arranging for workers to decorate the Temple, procuring food and fuel for the bonfires - the tasks never ended. It was only the growl of her stomach that reminded her to take breaks, and even now she couldn't quite relax. Another headache would be to ensure that all the guests would be able to reach the Inner Quarter safely, and while she did intend to put the soldiers to work the ceaseless snow would make it difficult enough just to travel. Between the snow, the frozen sea and the Void creatures running amok on the countryside, there were way too many things that could go wrong.
Reaching to take another bite, Maea was surprised to find that the pie had disappeared from her hand. Scowling at the empty wrapper, she tossed it into the fire and licked grease from her fingers as she began to make her way towards the marketplace. It would all have to wait until she'd found something more to eat.
Watching the ice-choked sea through a gap in the buildings, Maea inched closer to the bonfire and munched on a meat pie. Despite the cold she refused to hole herself up in her office. There was too much to do; hiring musicians and chefs for the banquet, arranging for workers to decorate the Temple, procuring food and fuel for the bonfires - the tasks never ended. It was only the growl of her stomach that reminded her to take breaks, and even now she couldn't quite relax. Another headache would be to ensure that all the guests would be able to reach the Inner Quarter safely, and while she did intend to put the soldiers to work the ceaseless snow would make it difficult enough just to travel. Between the snow, the frozen sea and the Void creatures running amok on the countryside, there were way too many things that could go wrong.
Reaching to take another bite, Maea was surprised to find that the pie had disappeared from her hand. Scowling at the empty wrapper, she tossed it into the fire and licked grease from her fingers as she began to make her way towards the marketplace. It would all have to wait until she'd found something more to eat.
Don't walk away
